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Damp in basement flat - high ground levels, drains and render - what to tackle first
Bookgal88
Posts: 80 Forumite
Hoping someone might be able to help me. I purchased a part basement flat last year, and I'm having some trouble with damp. After a LOT of reading around, I think one of the problems I have is that there are high ground levels at one side of my flat. I'm attaching some pics to hopefully make things clearer.
This is the building as seen from the street. My "front" door is down the right side of the building.
This is the access to the "front" door.
This is the view from ground level by the door looking away from the street.
The main area of damp is in the bathroom, which is the room on the right of the steps in the second photo. Obviously, the ground level outside is much higher than the internal ground level. There are DPC injection marks (eye roll) above the steps and between the steps and the window. The drainpipe also seems to be going into the concrete and disappearing to lord knows where. Because the walls are rendered, I'm not sure if the building has a DPC or not, which the steps would be bridging if it does. The ground levels also seem like they might be a bit high in the paved area too, as the drainpipe also disappears into the ground here and there are no signs of airbricks (I have suspended floors). I just don't know where to start. CCTV drain survey? Lowering ground levels (but how would this even work on steps)? Removing the paint on the render? Also, this path is used by the upper floor flats to access the shared garden at the rear, so I'd have to get permission to do things (although we're all freeholders, so there's no absent landlord situation). Feeling a bit lost and deflated, so any thoughts and advice are welcome.
This is the building as seen from the street. My "front" door is down the right side of the building.
This is the access to the "front" door.
This is the view from ground level by the door looking away from the street.
The main area of damp is in the bathroom, which is the room on the right of the steps in the second photo. Obviously, the ground level outside is much higher than the internal ground level. There are DPC injection marks (eye roll) above the steps and between the steps and the window. The drainpipe also seems to be going into the concrete and disappearing to lord knows where. Because the walls are rendered, I'm not sure if the building has a DPC or not, which the steps would be bridging if it does. The ground levels also seem like they might be a bit high in the paved area too, as the drainpipe also disappears into the ground here and there are no signs of airbricks (I have suspended floors). I just don't know where to start. CCTV drain survey? Lowering ground levels (but how would this even work on steps)? Removing the paint on the render? Also, this path is used by the upper floor flats to access the shared garden at the rear, so I'd have to get permission to do things (although we're all freeholders, so there's no absent landlord situation). Feeling a bit lost and deflated, so any thoughts and advice are welcome.
"We're going to need a bigger boat."
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